Plastic ban: BMC inspectors seek police protection

Mumbai: Peeved with threats they are receiving from people, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's inspectors have demanded police protection while implementing plastic ban in the city. The officials have said that they are facing threat from defaulters, who are offering stiff resistance to civic body's action in some of the areas.

According to civic sources, as civic inspectors were carrying out checks on banned plastic in shops and other establishments at Byculla in E ward, people surrounded them in large numbers and threatened them with dire consequences if they continued with their drive.

A top civic official admitted that the jittery officials have sought police protection for the plastic ban implementation. "They want to have security while visiting the establishments. We have not taken a decision on it, but if the situation warrants, we may have to ponder over their demand," the official said.

"Our main aim is not to fine people, but to create awareness among people about the hazards of plastic. If they willingly deposit the banned plastic to the civic team, they will not be fined," said the official.

The BMC has formed a team of 249 inspectors from three departments - license, market and shops and establishments - to carry out checks for the plastic ban implementation. They have been divided into separate groups, to which specific areas have been allotted.